Kidnapping Suspect in Custody & Juvenile Rescued

Today, at approximately 12:30 PM, investigators with the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s office contacted APPD in reference to a kidnapping suspect, Joseph Phillips (age 26) and a 14-year-old missing juvenile possibly in our area on a purple motorcycle. They attempted to use a debit card at Murphy’s gas station around 9 AM.

As officers were obtaining this information, our telecommunications officers received additional information from an AP firefighter who a concerned citizen contacted directly. The citizen reported a male in his 20s and a very young female at the little league park who appeared suspicious. The caller said the female looked “out of it” and slept on a bench. The male came out of the bathroom and had a large laceration on his leg.

Several officers went to the area suspecting the two people were, in fact, the subjects from Louisiana. A female juvenile was located lying down under a park bench, and there were two motorcycle helmets next to her. She was identified as the missing juvenile. The male left before the officers arrived. While investigating, officers observed a male subject traveling East on E. Johnson on a purple motorcycle.

A traffic stop was conducted, and the male was detained. The male subject was confirmed to be Joseph Phillips. He had active warrants for contributing to the delinquency of a minor (misdemeanor) and second-degree kidnapping (felony) out of the Parish of Vernon, Louisiana. The Vernon Parish Sheriff’s office, along with Texas child protective services, were notified so they could assume this case investigation and return the juvenile to her home.